Oral administration of a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract (BioCell Collagen®) reduces UVB-induced photoaging in mice

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes skin aging (a process known as photoaging). This study examined whether subchronic (14-week) oral administration of a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract—comprising naturally-occurring primarily hydrolyzed type II collagen peptides, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, extracted from a single source—could reduce signs associated with photoaging in hairless mice. Administration of the extract to UVB-irradiated mice led to significant increases in skin elasticity and hyaluronic acid content, compared with UVB-irradiated controls. Matrix metalloproteinase expression, transepidermal water loss, dermal inflammatory cells and wrinkles were all significantly reduced by administration of hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract. This study is the first to demonstrate that oral administration of this novel extract, containing a unique single-source complex of primarily hydrolyzed type II collagen (rather than the more widely studied type I form), chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, reduces UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice.